Refluxing apparatus with adjustable head



Jan. 30, 1968 K. "r. POOLE 3,366,552

I REFLUXING APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE HEAD Filed Jan. 7, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 TO CONDENSER VAPORS FROM VAPORIZER 20 25 l5 /9 28/3 Fl .3. k X 9 25 /8 Z4 Z3 I i I U/l X I I I l I I I 1 I M I2 l3 Z5 lnuenfor KENNETH T. POULE 85% l l a Attorney Jan. 30, 1968 K. T. POOLE REFLUXING APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE HEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. '7, 1965 Attorney;

am/ 08 P T H T E N N/ E K United States Patent Britain Filed Jan. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 424,059 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Jan. 17, 1964, 2,228/64 4 Claims. (Cl. 202-161) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for incorporation in a reflux installation to divide a liquid stream comprises an integral vapour chamber and vapour/liquid separator which are coaxial, and a funnel for directing liquid from the vapour chamber either into said separator or into a conduit leading from the separator is supported for movement between the two positions thereof and arranged to be movable into or out of the vapour chamber through a tubular element extending outwards from the side of the chamber so as to be removable from the vapour chamber for servicing without disturbing the reflux installation in which the apparatus is incorporated.

This invention relates to apparatus for dividing a liquid stream.

Heretofore reflux installations including apparatus of the kind referred to have comprised a vapouriser, usually operated at a negative pressure, and a condenser generally superimposed on the vapouriser, the condenser being operatively connected with the vapouriser to receive the vapour from the chamber and condense therein. The installation also includes a conduit between the condenser and associated vapouriser connecting the interior of the condenser with the interior of the associated vapouriser, the conduit providing an inlet to the chamber for condensed vapours.

Below the inlet thus constituted a biased funnel is mounted for limited excursions within the vapouriser whilst retaining register with the inlet, the spout of the funnel being normally held by the bias in one end position (the datum position) to return condensate into the vapouriser and in the other end position (the by-pass position) to cause the condensate to by-pass the vapouriser, a second conduit passing through the vapouriser wall having one end in the vicinity of the spout and the other end outside the vapouriser, the spout of the funnel registering within the inner end of the second conduit when moved to the bypass position.

One disadvantage of the aforesaid known type of installation is that the assembly constituting the reflux installation must be disturbed if any one of the included apparatus for dividing the liquid stream ceases to function properly.

The main object of the present invention is to improve the funnel constructed for greater reliability in operation and to avoid disturbing the assembly if in a reflux installation the funnel fails to operate etliciently either in the return of the condensate to the associated vapouriser or in directing condensate to by-pass the vapouriser.

In accordance with the present invention apparatus for dividing a liquid stream of the kind described is characterised in that the vapour chamber is formed with at least one outwardly extending tubing at the level of the funnel and communicating with the chamber, the dimensions of the tubing and the funnel size being such so as to permit withdrawal of the funnel from the chamber through the tubing, the tubing also affording a housing for means for setting the funnel when in the chamber.

3,366,552 Patented Jan. 30, 1968 "ice By such form of apparatus it is possible to effect repairs or replacement of the tunnel in a reflux installation without disturbing the installation.

A preferred construction of. apparatus for dividing a liquid stream according to the present invention is characterised in that the bias on the funnel is created by a coil spring, mounted on a coaxial guide pin connected with the funnel, to conserve energy as the funnel is displaced which energy is available to return the funnel to the datum position, an activating rod connected with the funnel to displace the funnel from the datum position, said pin and rod being each housed within tubing connected at the level of the funnel with the interior of the chamber into which tubing the funnel may be withdrawn from the chamber, a bearing for the pin and a bearing for the rod in the outer end of the tubing sealed to the tubing, slipper blocks in the tubing to which blocks the inner ends of the pin and rod respectively are connected, said pin and rod being each shrouded by an extensible wall the ends of which walls are sealed to the respective bearing and slipper block to segregate the respective bearings from the interior of the chamber.

Such form of apparatus may be manually set or remotely actuated, e.g., by using a solenoid, as hereinafter fully described, to hold the funnel either in the datum position or in the by-pass location. Alternatively the apparatus may be set by hydraulic or pneumatic means, particularly when flame-proof apparatus is required.

Apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a vapour chamber formed with coaxial outwardly extending tubing each opening into the chamber, the funnel being carried by a linearly movable arm the: two ends of which enter the respective external tubing, one end being attached to the said activating rod and the other end attached to the guide pin so that actuation of the rod is transmitted through the arm to the guide pin and the funnel correspondingly moved within the chamber.

Alternatively the apparatus constructed according to the present invention may comprise a vapour chamber formed with an outwardly extending tubing the outer end of which includes coaxial diametrically opposed branches, one branch having at its outer end a bearing for the activating rod and the other branch having at its outer end a bearing for the guide pin, each bearing :being sealed to its respective branch ends, the respective slipper blocks being mounted in juxtaposition at the inner ends of the branches, the funnel being carried on the end of an oscillatable arm within the chamber, the other end of the arm being secured between the slippers and a pivot within the tubing for the arm so that any activation of the rod is magnified at the funnel end of the arm.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood two preferred embodiments each remotely operated, so far as adjustment of the funnel is concerned, will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows in sectional elevation at single vapour chamber on which is superimposed a vapour/liquid separator, such as may be employed in reflux installations, the vapour chamber having integral diametrically opposed tubing and the funnel is mounted on a horizontal arm adapted to be linearly displaced with respect to the openings to achieve registration of the funnel with a conduit extending through the wall of the vapour chamber.

FIG. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale, in sectional elevation a similar assembly of vapour chamber and vapour/ liquid separator, the vapour chamber having an outwardly extending tubing including at the outer end diametrically opposed branches and the funnel is carried within the vapour chamber at the end of an oscillatable arm adapted to be swung in a horizontal plane, or substantially so, when the outer end is moved by means located in the branches,

. FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view taken on the line III- III of FIGURE 2, and

FIG. 4 is an exploded pictorial view of the actuating means for setting the funnel shown in FIGURE 2 and the facility of dismemberment of the oscillating arm from the actuating means for complete withdrawal of the funnel from the vapour chamber.

In the drawings like reference numerals designate similar parts.

Referring first to the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1, there is shown apparatus for use in a reflux installation. In use the apparatus is mounted on a vapouriser (not shown) and superimposed on the apparatus is one or morecondensers (not shown), the individual units being joined together in fluid-tight relationship as will be understood in the art. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a vapour chamber 1 on which chamber is superimposed an integral vapour/liquid separator 2, the entity thus formed including a coaxial hood 3 into which vapours generated in the vapouriser (not shown) rise and pass out through the aperture 4 into the vapour/ liquid separator 2 and then into the condenser. a The entity also includes a conduit 5 for draining condensate away from the vapour/liquid separator either into the vapour chamber or by-passing the vapour chamher, as hereinafter fully'described. The vapour chamber .is formed with a conduit 6 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the second conduit) and between the two conduits 5 and 6 is located a funnel 7 having a mouth 8 and a spout 9.

As shown in the drawings, the funnel 7 is in a position to receive and discharge condensate from the vapour/ liquid separator 2 and it is so mounted that it can be moved to the right, as shown in FIGURE 1, so as to be in register With the second conduit 6 whilst retaining register with the conduit 5. In this case the discharge of -condensate from the funnel 7 into the second conduit 6 would be a discharge in which the vapour chamber is by-passed. The funnel 7 is biased into the position shown in FIGURE 1 by the spring 10 coiled about a guide pin 11 and acting between a bearing 12 on an end-plate 13 and a slipper block 14, into which slipper block the guide pin 11 is screwed.

The position of the funnel 7 as shown in FIGURE 1 is herein sometimes referred to as the datum position of the funnel, and when the funnel 7 is in register with the two conduits 5 and 6, then the funnel is in the position herein referred to as the by-pass position. Thus condensate entering the mouth 8 of the funnel 7 passes through the funnel 7 and its spout 9 into the second conduit 6 to by-pass the vapour chamber and then passes into collecting means (not shown). In the datum position of the funnel 7 the condensate is discharged through the spout 9 of the funnel 7 back into the vapour chamber land thence into the vapouriser (not shown).

The width dimension of the mouth 8 and the funnel 7 are such that the funnel maintains registration with the conduit 5 in both positions of the funnel 7.

The tunnel 7 is carried on a horizontal arm 15, the

right-hand end of which, as viewed in FIGURE 1, makes a tight fit in a recess 16 in the slipper block 14, and the other end of the arm is loosely located in a slipper block 17 which is identical in form with the slipper block 14 already referred to. This slipper block 17 is part of the actuating mechanism for the funnel being carried on an actuating rod 18 connected to an armature 19 of an actuating solenoid indicated at 20.

On energising the solenoid 20 the actuating rod 18 is moved inwardly and through the slipper block 17 pushes the arm 15 with the funnel 7 so as to displace the funnel 7 to the by-pass position. The movement of the arm 15 to the right (as viewed in FIGURE 1) thrusts the slipper block 14 outwardly and consequently compresses the is energised and a displacement of the slipper block 17 is translated through the arm 15 to the slipper block 14 towards the setting of the funnel 7 to the by-pass position.

The slipper blocks 14, 17-, the guide pin 11 and actuating rod 18 are each coaxially housed in an outwardly extending tubular element indicated at 21, the slipper block in each case maintaining the centralisation of the guide pin 11 and actuating rod 18. The tubular elements are thickened towards the outer ends, as indicated at 22, to receive a collar 23 having a compressible lining, indicated As shown in FIGURE 1 the outer end of the actuating rod 18 passes through a bearing 12 on an end-plate 13 identical with the bearing and end-plate through which the guide pin 11 passes. Between the thickened end 22 of each tubular element and the respective end-plate 13 is a gasket 25 which is compressed between the ends of the tubular element 21 and the adjacent end-plate 13 when the respective collar 23 and end-plate 13 are drawn together by bolts (not shown) but indicated by the axis lines 28 passing through the apertures of the end-plates and associated collars respectively.

As will be well understood, the apparatus may be aperated at a negative pressure and in order to maintain the desired negative pressure within the vapour chamber the bore in the end-plates 13 through which the guide pin 11 and actuating rod 18 pass is segregated from the chamber 1, and to this end bellows 29' are sealed to the respective slipper blocks and gaskets 25 so as to provide an extensible connection when relative movement occurs between the slipper blocks 14 and 17 and their respective endplates 13.

The extensible wall thus provided may be integral with the gasket 25 or an extension thereof and sealed in any suitable manner to the respective slipper block 14 and 17. Thus the bearings 12 are segregated from the vapour chamber 1. i

From the foregoing description of FIGURE 1, it will be appreciated that the tubular elements 21 are at the level of the plane in which the funnel 7 is displaced within the vapour chamber 1, and accordingly by uncoupling the end-plate 13 at the right-hand side of the drawing from its associated collar 23, the whole assembly within the tubular element 21 can be withdrawn and guided in its withdrawal by the slipper block 14and, as the arm 15 is tightly fitting in the slipper block 14, or otherwise secured thereto, the arm 15 and the funnel 7 can be completely withdrawn through the right-hand tubular element 21 for repairs or for any other purpose, the arm 15, in being withdrawn, leaving the slipper block 17 in which it is loosely located in position in its respective tubular element 21.

However, as will be readily understood, the solenoid 20 and the associated end-plate 13 to which it is secured may be whollyremoved from the respective tubular element 21 on uncouplingthe associated end-plate and collar 23 if the arm 15 is fitted into the slipper block 17 so as to move therewith and is loosely located in the slipper block 14, the height of the funnel 7 and its width dimension being such in relation to the tubular elements 21 that it can pass through either tubular element.

The tunnel 7 in the apparatus described is an apparatus which can be remotely actuated to set the funnel in the desired position within the vapour chamber 1, but clearly the actuating rod 18 can be extended through the respective end-plate 13 for manual operation. Accordingly the apparatus herein described and which is made of glass and includes the integral vapour chamber and vapour/ liquid separator and the tubu ar elements 21, can be readily incorporated as a unit in a reflux installation comprising a plurality of such units.

Referring now to the construction shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, the apparatus therein disclosed differs from that shown and described with reference to FIGURE 1 in that the vapour chamber 1 has only one outwardly extending tubular element 21 through which the funnel 7 can be withdrawn, and the arm in the construction shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 is an oscillatable arm, instead of a linearly movable arm as shown in FIGURE 1.

The tubular element 21 is made in two parts to accommodate a pivot disc 30 centrally apertured, as clearly shown in FIGURE 4, for the passage of the arm 15, the location of the disc being such that any movement of the actuating rod 18 resulting from energising the solenoid 20 is magnified at the inner end of the arm 15. Thereby relatively small movement of the activating rod 18 achieves the setting of the funnel in the by-pass position and at the same time the spring 10 conserves suflicient energy to reset the funnel in the datum position when the solenoid is de-energised.

In the construction being described the tubing 21 comprises two parts connected by collars 31 clamped together by bolts 32, each collar having a compressible lining 33 engaging over the tapered end 34 of the tubing part. Thereby the joint between the tubing parts is sealed by the pivot disc 30 and the arm 15 is pivoted centrally of the pivot disc.

The outer part of the tubular element 21 includes branches 35 and 36. The branch 36 houses the guide pin 11 and the branch 35 houses the actuating rod 18. As in the construction shown in FIGURE 1 the guide pin 11 and the actuating rod 18 are enclosed within an extensible wall constituted by a bellows 29, sealed to the respective gaskets which in turn are clamped on to the ends of the branches in exactly the same way as already described with reference to the clamping of the endplates 13 to the tubular elements 21 of the construction shown in FIGURE 1. Therefore, on bolting together the end-plates 13 and their associated collars 23 by tightening up bolts 28, a gasket 25 interposed between the endplate and the element is clamped in position to form a seal at the outer end of each branch, while the bellows 29 segregate the respective bearings 12 from the interior of the vapour chamber 1, the bellows being sealed to the gasket 25 and to the respective slipper blocks 14 and 17.

As shown in FIGURE 4 the outer end of the arm 15 is formed with a T-piece 37, and the pivot disc is slotted to permit a passage of the T-piece through the disc in assembling the disc on the arm 15 before clamping the disc between the two parts of the tubing 21. It will be appreciated that the pressure existing in the vapour chamber 1 will also exist in the two parts of the tubular element 21 and drainage holes 40 are provided in the pivot disc 30 to allow vapour condensed in the outer part of the tubular element 21 to flow back into the vapour chamber 1.

Each of the opposed ends of the slipper blocks 14 and 17 are formed to provide a spigot joint when the two slippers are brought together solely by clamping the endplates 13 on to the branches and 36. To this end the slipper block 14 is provided with a boss 38 which is curved to receive the shank and bar of the T-piece 37, and the slipper 17 is formed with a hollow end 39 complementary to the boss 38 and is also slotted to accommodate the bar and the shaft of the T-piece 37 when the slipper blocks 14 and 17 are clamped together.

In operation a timing device (not shown) may be used in the electrical circuit for the solenoid to determine the duration of residence of the funnel in the datum and bypass positions, the relative times being determined by the ratio in which the condensate is required to be divided. Actuation of the solenoid 20 will produce a linear movement of the blocks 14 and 17 and the T-piece 37 is correspondingly moved through a limited angle, and the funnel end of the shaft is given a magnified traverse so as to move the funnel 7 from the datum position to the by-pass position in which condensate received in the mouth of the funnel is discharged from the mouth of the spout 9 into the second conduit 6 in the vapour chamber, and thence into means (not shown) for collecting the condensate.

On de-energising the solenoid the spring 10 takes control and rocks the shaft 15 in the pivot disc 30 so that the funnel again moves in a horizontal path but this time from a by-pass position to the datum position in which condensate passing through the funnel is returned into the vapour chamber 1 and thence to the vapouriser (not shown).

On separating the two parts of the tubular element 21 by unclamping the bolts 32 the arm 15, the funnel and the diaphragm can be separated from the vapour cham ber 1 leaving the guide pin and the actuating rod in position in the respective branches 35 and 36 of the outer part of the tubing 21. Thus, by the simple unclamping of the collars 31 the funnel can be removed from the interior of the vapour chamber without otherwise disturbing the apparatus or the reflux assembly in which it is incorporated.

The slipper block 17 of FIGURE 1 may be formed in two separate parts, one of which parts has an enlarged recessed head and may be screwed into the other part thus rendering the slipper block adjustable.

In the construction described it will be observed that the vapour chamber 1 and the vapour/liquid separator 2 constitute an integral entity and comprise an apertured inner hood 3 and a conduit 5 leading to the vapour chamber 1 as well as the second conduit 6 leading out of the vapour chamber 1, and the present invention comprehends this integral unit with a single tubular element extending outwardly from the vapour chamber as described with reference to FIGURES 2 and 3.

By the use of the present invention there is provided apparatus, particularly for use in a reflux installation, for dividing a liquid stream of condensate in predetermined ratios, and the present invention comprehends a reflux installation comprising the apparatus.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for incorporation in a reflux installation to divide a liquid stream, comprising a vapour chamber, integral and co-axial with a vapor/liquid separator including a co-axial hood through which vapours can pas from said chamber into the separator, first and second conduits leading respectively from said separator an said chamber, said first conduit having an outlet disposed above and laterally of an inlet to the second conduit, two tubular elements communicating with and extending co-axially outwardly from said chamber, a funne having the larger end thereof directed towards the outlet of the first conduit and so dimensioned as to be movable into and out of said chamber through said tubular element, a linearly movable arm supporting said funnel for movement between a datum position thereof at which the top of the funnel is disposed below and is aligned with the outlet from the first conduit and the outlet from the funnel is out of alignment with the inlet to the second conduit and a bypass position at which the top of the funnel is disposed below and is aligned with the outlet from the first conduit and the outlet from the funnel is aligned with the inlet to the second conduit, a slipper block attached to one end of said arm for axial sliding movement in one of said tubular elements, a guide pin connected with said one end of said arm and co-axial with said one tubular element, a coil spring surrounding the guide pin and operable to urge the funnel to the datum position thereof, and a second slipper block having the other end of said arm removably engaged therein, said second slipper block being slidable axially in the other of the tubular elements and attached to an actuating rod co-axial with said other tubular element, and the outer ends of the guide pin and actuating rod being slidable axially in bearings carried by the outer ends of the tubular elements, and said guide pin and actuating rod each being shrouded by an extensible wall the ends of which are sealed to the bearings and slipper blocks to segregate the bearings from the interior of the vapour chamber.

2. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the actuating rod comprises the armature of a solenoid operable to move the funnel from the datum position to the bypass position thereof.

3. Apparatus. for incorporation in a reflux installation to divide a liquid stream, comprising a vapour chamber integral and co-axial with a vapour/liquid separator including a co-axial hood through which vapours can pass from said chamber into the separator, first and second conduits leading respectively from said separator and said chamber, said first conduit having an outlet disposed above and laterally of an inlet to the second conduit, a single tubular element extending from said chamher, a funnel having the larger end thereof directed towards the outlet of the first conduit and so dimensioned as to be movable into and out of said chamber through said tubular element between a datum position thereof at which the top of the funnel is disposed below and is aligned with the outlet from the first conduit and the outlet from the funnel is out of alignment with the inlet to the second conduit and a by-pass position at which the top of the funnel is disposed below and is aligned with the outlet from the first conduit and the outlet from the funnel is aligned with the inlet to the second conduit, an oscillatable arm the inner end of which supports said funnel, a continuation tubular element the inner end of which is connected to the outer end of said tubular element and the outer end of which has co-axial diametrically opposed branches a first one of which at least in part houses a guide pin slidable axially in a bearing carried at the outer end of the first branch, a first slipper block carried by the inner end of the guide pin, a coil spring surrounding the guide pin and tending to urge the first slipper block away from the first bearing, an actuating rod at least partly housed in the second of said branches and having the outer end thereof slidable axially in a second bearing carried at the outer end of the second branch, a second slipper block carried by the inner end of the actuating rod, groove means provided at the inner ends of the slipper blocks and receiving the outer end of said arm to transmit oscillatory movement thereto, and a pivot member for said arm clamped between the tubular element and said continuation tubular element, said guide pin and actuating rod each being shrouded by an extensible wall the ends of which are sealedto said bearings and slipper blocks to segregate the bearings from the interior of the vapour chamber.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the actuating rod comprises the armature of a solenoid operable to move the funnel from the datum position to the bypass position thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,182,378 12/1939 Gunn 137612 2,251,185 7/1941 Carter et al 202-161 2,518,574 8/ 1950 Skopecek 137612 2,537,942 1/ 1951 Martin 202161 2,538,957 1/1951 Askevold et al. 202-161 X 2,903,401 9/1959 Heere 202-461 3,012,949 12/ 1961 Mooney 202-'161 3,220,936 11/ 1965 Samour 202161 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,028,536 4/ 1958 Germany.

564,512 10/ 1944 Great Britain.

WILBUR L. BASCOMB, 111., Primary Examiner.

NORMAN YUD-KOFF, Examiner.

F. E. DRUMMOND, Assistant Examiner. 

